Dear Colleagues!

Today I have at last received a complete set of *Pravda* for the recent days, or rather, for the past week. I am very grateful and extend my warmest congratulations on the success: in my opinion, without doubt, the newspaper has now gotten on its feet. The improvement is tremendous and serious — one must hope it is solid and final. The question of the length of Plekhanov's articles and the abundance of anti-liquidationism (which one worker-deputy writes about) are already matters of detail; correction here will not be difficult to introduce once the newspaper is standing firmly, and I think that local workers will immediately see how to make the correction. A detailed letter from one contributor (who unfortunately does not possess the pleasant "deputy" quality) we also received and were very pleased, congratulating you on every sort of success. It appears that now (and only now, after the adventure of St-v*) the period of vacillation has ended... only if we don't jinx it!..

I do not advise you to issue ultimatums to Plekhanov: it is premature! it could do harm!! If you write to him, write more affectionately and gently. He is valuable now because he is fighting the enemies of the workers' movement.

Regarding Demyan Bedny, I continue to be in favor. Don't carp, friends, at human weaknesses! Talent is a rarity. One must support him systematically and cautiously. It would be a sin upon your soul, a great sin (a hundred times greater than various personal "sins," should there be any...) before the workers' democracy if you do not draw in this talented contributor, do not help him. The conflicts were trivial, but the matter is serious. Think about this!

Regarding expansion, I wrote recently in detail to the enlightened one; I hope you have also seen that letter. I too am for financial caution: give the same six pages (of the present insert sheets) differently, under a different sauce and title and content: 4 pages

* Concerning whom this refers has not been established. Ed.